August 2, 2010

Our view of the Peoria Journal Star’s view, go back to school

In the opinion section of Peoria’s Journal Star Sunday they had an article titled ‘Our View’, but there is no author’s name attached so I am curious. Is this column really the view of the entire newspaper, or perhaps just the opinion department? Did the opinion editor, Mike Bailey, write it? Is he writing the opinion of the entire paper when he says ‘Our View’, or just his opinion and too cowardly to put his name on it?

The column is an opinion piece about our local government giving loans to two major businesses, one for a remodel, and the other to build a new store. It asks the question “Where have the central Illinois’ tea partiers been?”, and the title of the column is “Why the silence from conservatives on local government handouts?”.

Well PJStar, let me clue you in on a little something we like to call, the constitution. You see, State and Local governments have a lot more leeway when it comes to spending than the federal government is supposed to have (they take that leeway anyway, that’s why we are upset). I am sure there are TEA party members (See PJStar, that’s how you are supposed to do it. I made the same mistake too TEA, not tea) upset about all the money given to businesses from tax payers, I am one of them. But, we also realize that this money is going to create real jobs, not those temporary, triple counted, costly fake jobs the fed is touting. A Holiday Inn, and a Bass Pro Shop in East Peoria? How many jobs do you think that will bring in?

You might also notice PJStar, that the money for the Bass Pro Shop is going to come from bonds being sold, not a handout. It is also worth noting that building the Bass Pro Shop will allow for another building to be put up, without expense to taxpayers. With East Peoria’s track record of taking in businesses that Peoria has said no to, and turning them to the advantage of the city and the residents, I don’t think anyone is really looking to make a stink about the city doing what they are, at the very least, constitutionally authorized to do.

See, PJStar, you are trying to take an issue, over simplify it, spin it, and make a group of people look bad. You have failed, as so many others, because of your lack of understanding. Lack of understanding about the TEA party, and lack of understanding on the issue. Our recommendation, send whoever wrote this article back to school to take some government/constitution classes so they maybe get what’s going on. Might also be a good idea for them to have a sit down with a TEA Party member to find out what the group is really about, instead of spouting ignorance, it makes your paper look bad.